Dicky Wells

• Born: June 10, 1907, Centerville, TN
• Died: November 12, 1985, New York, NY
• Active: '20s, '30s, '40s, '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s
• Genres: Jazz
• Instrument: Trombone
• Representative Albums: "Dicky Wells in Paris, 1937," "1927-1943," "Trombone Four in Hand"

Biography

One of the more adventurous trombonists of the swing era, the distinctive Dicky Wells was somewhat innovative, playing his horn in a speech-like style filled with a great deal of color, humor, and swing. Although he came to fame with Count Basie in 1938, Wells had been a major-league player for a decade before that. After moving to New York in 1926, he recorded with Cecil Scott (to hilarious effect on "In a Corner") and Spike Hughes, in addition to working with Fletcher Henderson, Benny Carter, and Teddy Hill; during a European tour with Hill he recorded extensively. The Basie years (1938-1945 and 1947-1950) gave him some fame and his playing behind singer Jimmy Rushing was particularly memorable. His later years were somewhat anti-climatic but there were engagements with Rushing, reunions with Basie sidemen, European tours with Buck Clayton, a stint (1961-1963) with Ray Charles, and occasional appearances (including on the classic TV special The Sound of Jazz in 1957). After about 1965, Wells' alcoholism and declining musicianship forced him to get a day job as a messenger, although he did write his memoirs (The Night People) and he came back for a final album in 1981. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

Dicky's Blues Buy this CD

Mr. Bones 1931/1944 Buy this CD

Swingin' in Paris Buy this CD

1927-1943 Buy this CD

Stanley Dance Sessions Buy this CD

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